Description
Refreshing and visually stunning Butterfly Pea Tea Lemonade combines the vibrant blue color of butterfly pea flowers with tangy lemon juice and a splash of soda water. Perfect as a cool, lightly sweetened beverage for warm days, this recipe is easy to make and beautifully garnished with lemon and rosemary.
Ingredients
Butterfly Pea Tea
- 3 cups warm water
- 1/2 cup dried butterfly pea flowers (or fresh)
Sweetened Lemonade
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
To Serve
- 3 cups ice
- 3 cups soda water
- lemon slices and rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Steep Butterfly Pea Flowers: Pour the warm water into a cup or pitcher, add the butterfly pea flowers, and stir or let them soak for several minutes until the water turns a deep blue. Add more flowers if the color isn't strong enough.
- Strain the Tea: Use a mesh strainer to remove the butterfly pea flowers from the liquid, leaving you with clear blue tea.
- Sweeten the Tea: Add the granulated sugar to the strained butterfly pea tea and stir thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add Lemon Juice: Mix the lemon juice into the sweetened butterfly pea tea, creating a vibrant color change and adding tartness.
- Prepare Glasses: Fill serving glasses with ice cubes to chill the beverage properly.
- Assemble the Drink: Pour the butterfly pea lemonade over the ice to about half the glass.
- Finish with Soda Water: Top off each glass with soda water for a refreshing fizz, then garnish with lemon slices and rosemary sprigs if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use warm water for better extraction of the butterfly pea flowers' color and flavor.
- Adjust sugar quantity to your preferred sweetness.
- The butterfly pea tea will change color from blue to purple when lemon juice is added, a natural pH indicator.
- Fresh lemon juice is best for vibrant flavor without preservatives.
- Soda water adds a delightful fizz but can be substituted with sparkling water if preferred.
- Garnishing with lemon and rosemary enhances aroma and presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
